A golden path unfurled before them, stretching from the distant horizon to this very spot. Countless petals danced in the air, each one crystalline, as if flowers of the grand path were blooming in the void. A group of cultivators appeared, standing guard and protecting a group of highly important individuals who had arrived here, clearly intending to board the colossal ten-thousand-zhang-long spell ship. The scene was dazzling—powerful magical artifacts paved the way, the golden road extended endlessly, and an infinite shower of fragrant petals rained down.
“What an extravagant display,” everyone thought, though none dared voice it aloud. Facing those from the Upper Realm, they felt an instinctive reverence. This event carried immense significance. The arrival of Upper Realm envoys would surely shake the foundations of every sect, necessitating the utmost respect—lest they invite unforeseen calamities.
The people of Immortal Mountain remained relatively composed, as their lineage had ties to the Upper Realm. However, cultivators from other sects seemed to shrink in stature, their demeanor filled with deference. Qin Ming, though from Immortal Mountain, also kept his distance—not groveling, but cautious, unwilling to draw too near.
Shi Hao’s eyes gleamed with interest. He hadn’t expected to witness such a spectacle so soon after arriving in the Profound Domain. Rumors had spread of noble ladies and prodigies descending from the Upper Realm, but seeing it firsthand was another matter entirely. While true powerhouses couldn’t descend due to formidable restrictions, their juniors could be sent down through great magical means.
The ten-thousand-zhang-long spell ship typically traversed the Profound Domain, covering millions of miles in a single day, stopping only at key locations. The Upper Realm envoys boarded directly, greeted with deep respect by the ship’s captain and crew. They intended to tour the Profound Domain, visiting the strongholds of various sects and experiencing the customs of the Lower Realm—this ship was the perfect vessel for their journey.
“Are they boarding this ship as well?” Shi Hao mused.
“They’ve been in the Lower Realm for several days, exploring the great mountains and rivers. Hearing of this treasure ship, they came to borrow its power for their travels,” someone familiar with the situation explained.
“Among them might be a peerless genius from our Immortal Mountain,” Qin Ming thought, recalling whispers from his clan. His heart burned with eagerness—if he could forge a connection with such a figure, his status within the clan would skyrocket. Yet, he feared provoking unnecessary trouble.
Shi Hao, however, remained indifferent. He had no desires to exploit these prodigies, nor did he see them as inherently superior.
As the ship’s vicinity buzzed with activity, powerful cultivators approached to welcome the Upper Realm envoys, their auras radiant, filling the air with auspicious energy. The commotion lasted a long while before the newcomers finally retreated into the ship’s cabins.
After half a day’s delay, various sects began boarding. Qin Ming soon returned, his expression uneasy. “The VIP cabins have all been claimed by the Upper Realm envoys. We’ll have to settle for the lower decks,” he said reluctantly.
Shi Hao smirked. “So, the mighty Immortal Mountain—boasting an eternal legacy, claiming dominance over the Eight Domains—has so little weight after all?”
“Watch your tongue!” someone snapped, hostility flaring.
Shi Hao glanced at them. “Just stating facts. If I’m not mistaken, those VIP cabins were originally yours, yet you yielded without protest.”
Qin Ming and the others flushed with humiliation but had no retort.
“Then let’s wait. Boarding now would only spread the shame of being ousted from your rightful place,” Shi Hao taunted.
“Among the Upper Realm envoys is a prodigy from our Immortal Mountain. Yielding to them is no disgrace,” Qin Ming argued, though his displeasure was evident.
Shi Hao refused. “As a sovereign of a nation, I won’t be ordered about. If this ship won’t accommodate me, I’ll wait for another.”
Qin Ming hesitated, knowing Shi Hao’s unyielding nature. He quickly sought the ship’s captain, leveraging Immortal Mountain’s influence to secure an emergency VIP cabin.
The top-tier cabin was a marvel—dense spiritual energy, nearly liquefied, gathered by powerful arrays. The furnishings were crafted from rare spirit-gathering stones, amplifying cultivation benefits. The windows, enchanted with formidable formations, offered crystal-clear views of the passing landscape.
“These are Spirit-Seeing Eyes, allowing you to survey the boundless beauty of the Profound Domain,” Qin Ming introduced, his tone slightly haughty.
Shi Hao scoffed. “This is still a prison realm, no different from the Barren Domain. If you disdain it so, why summon me?”
Qin Ming’s face darkened, but he dared not retort. Around them, a dozen guards exuded thinly veiled hostility—Shi Hao had slain two of their elders and crushed their forces.
“Anyone who harbors ill intent should leave now, lest I act without mercy,” Shi Hao warned coldly.
“This isn’t the Barren Domain, nor your palace. You will abide by Immortal Mountain’s rules!” a young clansman snapped, his arrogance undimmed by Shi Hao’s reputation.
“Whose child is this? Take him away,” Shi Hao said dismissively.
The youth bristled, but Qin Ming restrained him with a whisper: “He’s slain two elders. He won’t hesitate with you.”
The young man paled, falling silent. The others, too, withdrew, unwilling to provoke Shi Hao’s wrath.
Suddenly, Shi Hao’s body radiated light, his ten heavenly passages resonating with scripture. The cultivators around him—including Qin Ming—collapsed, unconscious. Shi Hao probed their minds, careful to avoid the forbidden seals that guarded their clan’s secrets. He sought news of his parents and grandfather but found nothing beyond what he already knew.
When they awoke, dazed and terrified, they fled without looking back.
“Interesting. Next door seems to house an extraordinary talent—I sensed the pulse of ten heavenly passages,” a woman in another VIP cabin mused, her form shrouded in azure light.
“Lady Lan’s perception is as sharp as ever. I sensed it too,” a young man remarked, his bearing exceptional.
“To think the Lower Realm holds such a figure. The ancient prison truly lives up to its name,” a girl giggled.
The cabin held over a dozen extraordinary youths, each radiating a faint divine glow, as if untouched by worldly impurities.
“Shall we invite him over?” another suggested, his third eye shimmering with insight.
“Oh yes! Perhaps a dashing hero who’ll sweep one of our sisters off her feet!” the playful girls teased.
Lady Lan rose gracefully. “Let us pay our respects properly.”
When the knock came, Qin Ming opened the door, stunned to see the Upper Realm’s elite.
“Forgive our intrusion,” Lady Lan said courteously, her voice melodious despite her veiled form.
Shi Hao stood, smiling. “A pleasant surprise amidst a long journey.”
As six or seven Upper Realm youths entered—mostly young women—Qin Ming grew nervous, recalling Shi Hao’s… reputation.
Lady Lan studied Shi Hao, intrigued. “May I ask your age, Brother Shi?”
“Fifteen.”
The revelation drew astonished gazes.
In the neighboring cabin, the others sensed the shift.
“Have we truly encountered a rare talent?” one mused.
A girl laughed. “Will a fairy forsake the heavens for the mortal realm?”
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